Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi stated that the provision of 103 military personnel for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's security detail is in violation of the law.

He made this observation at a press conference today replying to a question a journalist asked.

“103 Police personnel including STF, and 103 army soldiers were provided to ensure the former President’s safety. Hence there was no legal possibility to provide army soldiers for his security when the emergency regulations were not enforced, it was decided to remove army personnel and provide police officers instead.”

“Army personnel have not been provided for the President and the Prime Minister of the country. But Mahinda Rajapaksa has 103 army soldiers in his security contingent and Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been given 50.”

“False rumors are spreading that Rajapaksa’s security has been withdrawn. However, he was given another 50 police officers for his safety. There are 256 army and police personnel on his security contingent at this moment”, Hettiarachchi said.

He further stated that Rajapaksa’s security would not be trimmed. Army personnel will be systematically removed, and will be replaced by police and STF personnel, he stressed.